Emilee M. Ambrose is honored to serve as the 2025–2026 President and CEO of the Junior League of Dayton (JLD). Driven by a commitment to service and impact, she leads the organization in its mission to develop the potential of women and strengthen the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Emilee is passionate about supporting the League’s vision and driving meaningful impact across the Dayton region. Keep reading to get to know Emilee and her goals for the year ahead. 

Mastering the Numbers 

Emilee holds a Bachelor of Arts in both the History of Art & Architecture and Anthropology from Miami University, as well as a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Baltimore, where she focused on Leadership and Organizational Development & Change. She currently serves as the Logistics Chief for C-130 Production Foreign Military Sales with the United States Air Force, where she manages an $8.2B FMS portfolio of international agreements for seven Foreign Partners. She is instrumental in fostering the Department of Defense’s Security Assistance and Cooperation partnership with critically strategic allies, further promoting specific U.S. security interests, advancing national security, strengthening regional stability, and developing military interoperability.  

Throughout her career, she has been passionate about creating positive impact within both her professional and local communities. For Emilee, true leadership means being a reliable source of encouragement and insight as others navigate their personal journeys. At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she facilitated base-wide Sexual Assault Prevention & Response training and served on the Diversity Council as the Federal Women’s Employment Program Manager. Her earlier roles include policy analysis and project management for the U.S. Military Health System, where she supported military healthcare research and policy development. Emilee has brought her skills and passion to a wide range of missions, from advancing military healthcare and policy development to managing complex logistics and programs for the U.S. Air Force. 

Journey to the Junior League 

Emilee’s hometown is Berea, OH, a friendly town located just outside Cleveland. When she later moved to the Dayton area, Emilee was looking for connection and a sense of community. She was thrilled to discover just that in JLD! She found a diverse organization of women who are passionate about uplifting one another and making a difference in the community. Since joining JLD in 2018, Emilee has taken on a variety of leadership roles, including serving on the “Read Between the Wines” Committee as a member, Chair-Elect, and Chair. She’s also served as Community VP-Elect and VP, and most recently as President-Elect, demonstrating her deep commitment to the League’s mission over the past seven years. 

Emilee’s involvement in the community doesn’t stop there. Sponsored by JLD, she graduated from the prestigious Leadership Dayton program as part of the Class of 2023, where she was honored to be nominated as Class Representative. Today, she continues to support the program as a member of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Governors. Her appreciation for the arts led her to join the Dayton Art Institute’s (DAI) Board of Trustees in June 2023, and in January 2024, she and her husband became members of the DAI’s Associate Board—helping lead fundraising and event planning for two of the museum’s signature events: ArtBall and Oktoberfest. In 2025, Emilee was named a Dayton Business Journal “Forty Under 40” honoree. The Junior League of Dayton couldn’t be prouder, celebrating her as a rising leader shaping the future of our region! 

A Passport Full of Stories 

As an avid traveler, some of Emilee’s favorite recent journeys have taken her to places like India, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Iceland, and Norway. Her heart always pulls her back to Italy, where she and her husband enjoy wandering historic streets, sharing street pizza, and sipping house wine after a day spent exploring art and ancient ruins. When she’s not people-watching at the airport, Emilee loves cooking, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time with her husband, their two kids (ages 12 and 15), and their Bernedoodle, Dottie. 

Empowering Every Voice 

“One of the things I’m most excited about this year is watching our Executive Board members step into their leadership roles with confidence and purpose,” says Emilee. She looks forward to deepening the connections across the entire League and fostering an environment where every member feels seen, heard, and valued. She is especially proud to be mentoring the current President-Elect, who is already demonstrating strong leadership and a clear vision for the future of the League. Emilee is committed to creating spaces where women can uncover their strengths, grow in confidence, and step boldly into leadership roles they may have once thought were out of reach. She believes that when every voice is empowered, it opens the door to new ideas, shared growth, and lasting impact—not just within the League, but throughout the broader community they serve. 

Stay tuned for more features in our “Meet Our Members” series!

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